Parling could return for Leicester on Saturday in first game since November

Geoff Parling could play for the first time since November on Saturday for Leicester.

He has recovered from shoulder surgery and is in line to face Wasps, at Welford Road, provided he comes through training this week. The Lions forward has not played since he was hurt in England’s match against New Zealand in the autumn series at Twickenham.

His return will give Leicester’s director of rugby Richard Cockerill four senior locks to pick from for the first time this season in Parling, Ed Slater, Louis Deacon and Graham Kitchener.

Return: Geoff Parling could play for the first time since November on Saturday

Recovered: The England man has been out after having shoulder surgery

‘It’s great news,’ Cockerill said. He is also hoping that Parling’s England colleague Tom Croft will have recovered from knee surgery to play before the end of the season.

Cockerill feared Croft would not play again this season, following his injury last September, but the Lions flanker continues to improve.

‘He’s disproving me and may yet play before the end of the season,’ Cockerill added.

Gavin Henson looks set to stay at Bath after Ospreys’ Lyn Jones said the former Walescentre was not joining his club.

Great news: Leicester director of rugby Rickard Cockerill is delighted to have Parling back

Staying: Gavin Henson will be staying with Bath rather than moving to Ospreys

Jones ruled out the move for Henson who has impressed at Bath in recent games. ‘Gavin is not joining the Dragons. Definitely,’he said.

Dragons also fear they have lost out on luring Walesprop Adam Jones from rivals Ospreys. The tight-head prop looks set to sign a central contract for the Welsh Rugby Union.